The Better Business Bureau Offers Tips on Safe Holiday Shopping

Consumers may shop more during the holiday season and because of this increase in transactions it may put them at a higher risk for identity theft or fraud warns the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

“There are existing statutes that may require companies to provide reasonable security for sensitive information,” explained Jim Hegarty, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau. “It is important to shop at companies that keep your information secure, but it is also important to take precautions yourself.”

The BBB offers these tips to consumers on how to prevent fraud:

•Some mail can carry sensitive information that should be protected. It is important to install a lockable mailbox to prevent mail theft.
•Keep track of what credit cards you are using and which ones have become inactive. Be sure to close any credit card accounts that are no longer necessary.
•Be sure to check your account statements frequently, especially around the holidays when shopping increases. If there are any fraudulent charges deal with them immediately.
•Make sure to shred any bills or offers for pre-approved credit cards. •When closing a checking account, be sure to have all the checks destroyed.

Steps to take if you have experienced fraud:

•Contact local law enforcements and report the fraudulent activity and file a report.
•Contact you bank and financial companies to alert that fraud has taken place. Work with the company to reset new pin numbers and get new cards. Also, if a check has been alert the bank to stop accepting all checks.
•Keep a close watch on your account and be sure to quickly report any fraudulent activity. Make sure to follow up with the companies.
•Every so often check your credit report on annualcreditreport.com to monitor the activity and make sure that there are not any red flags.

Steps to take if you experience fraud with an online company:

•First, be aware what information was saved in your online profile with the company. If credit card information was saved in the profile, be sure to cancel your card and alert your bank for possible fraudulent activity.
•If the email saved in the profile is your main one, be especially on the lookout for scams and viruses that could be targeting you.
•If there was information included in your profile such as your social security number seek theft protection. Companies should not have asked for your social security number to begin with and contact the company to cover the costs of identity theft.

For more advice on finding reputable businesses around the holidays, visit bbb.org.

Disclaimer: This story has been reviewed but not edited or fact-checked. Views of the author are not necessarily those of this station, its owners, officers, agents or employees.